Summer Palace Critic Reviews
Metascore®:
Based upon 5 Critic ReviewsHighest Rated
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In Summer Palace Lou nonetheless succeeds in finding a cinematic language that does more than summarize the important events of a confusing decade. He distills the inner confusion -- the swirl of moods, whims and needs -- that is the lived and living essence of history.Read the full review
The most important mainland Chinese film this decade.Read the full review
For director Lou Ye, who also co-wrote the script and was a student in Beijing during that crucial year, Summer Palace is the story of his particular lost generation, a story he felt so deeply about he risked his career to tell it. Search out this vivid film in a theater. Don't let the sacrifices he made be in vain.Read the full review
At the heart of the film is a powerful performance by the beautiful and most promising Hao Lei as its tempestuous, complex heroine.Read the full review
Fourth feature by Mainland helmer Lou Ye ("Suzhou River," "Purple Butterfly") shoots for metaphysical drama but ends up saying very little beneath all the poetic voiceovers, sexual encounters and political seasoning.Read the full review
